Patent US4385967A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4385967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electroplating apparatus and method
Assignee: Bayer Pharma AG
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Filing: 1981-10-07
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Granted: 1983-05-31
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Expires: 2001-10-07
Abstract
Abstract An electroplating apparatus and method is provided, whereby generally flat workpieces, such as metal plates and the like may be electroplated, on a continuous basis, automatically and without manual intervention. The workpieces are delivered horizontally through a bath of electrolyte. They are conveyed through the bath by being engaged by driven contact wheels that also serve as one of the electrodes. The other electrode is in the bath electrolyte solution. As the workpieces are delivered through the bath, they are engaged and disengaged by the contact wheels, but are always in engagement with contact wheels for not only continuous conveyance, but for continuous electrical connection therewith. A particular slide mount is provided for holding an opposite side of the plate as the plate is carried along its flow path, and this mount is adjustably positionable to accommodate different width workpieces. Solution flow through the electrolyte bath is provided on a continuous basis, and both agitates and replenishes the electrolyte solution. Dams are created at ends of the flow path, by the action of squeezing rollers, to prevent passage of electrolyte. Wipers are provided for preventing the turbulence of newly-delivered electrolyte in the bath zone from immediately contacting the contact wheels. Other features are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M. Brady
- 👤 Franz R. Cordes
- 👤 Klaus H. Gedrat
- 👤 Daniel L. Goffredo
- 👤 Walter Meyer
- 👤 Conrad D. Shakley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:15
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D17/00; C25D21/00; C25D21/02; C25D21/10; C25D7/00; C25D7/06; C25D7/0614; C25D7/0621; C25D7/0657; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/24; H05K3/241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for electroplating discrete generally planar workpieces comprising: means defining a bath zone of electrolyte solution; conveying means for delivering the discrete planar workpieces through the bath zone in a continuous motion along a generally horizontal flow path submerged in the bath zone and with the workpieces in generally horizontal disposition; anode electrode means in said bath zone; cathode electrode means in said bath zone; and means for generating an electrical potential between said anode electrode means and said cathode electrode means; said conveying means including a plurality of continuously driven contact wheels disposed along said flow path; said wheels comprising one of said electrode means; said wheels further comprising means for (a) automatically and serially engaging the workpieces for delivery along the path and for automatically and serially releasing the workpieces as they are delivered along the path, and (b) automatically and serially making clamping electrical connection with said workpieces and automatically and serially releasing the workpieces from electrical connection as they are delivered along the path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for electroplating discrete generally planar workpieces comprising: means defining a bath zone of electrolyte solution; conveying means for delivering the discrete planar workpieces through the bath zone in a continuous motion along a generally horizontal flow path submerged in the bath zone and with the workpieces in generally horizontal disposition; anode electrode means in said bath zone; cathode electrode means in said bath zone; and means for generating an electrical potential between said anode electrode means and said cathode electrode means; said conveying means including a plurality of continuously driven contact wheels disposed along said flow path; said wheels comprising one of said electrode means; said wheels further comprising means for (a) automatically and serially engaging the workpieces for delivery along the path and for automatically and serially releasing the workpieces as they are delivered along the path, and (b) automatically and serially making clamping electrical connection with said workpieces and automatically and serially releasing the workpieces from electrical connection as they are delivered along the path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wheels are the cathodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wheels include upper wheels and lower wheels mounted in urged-together opposition to each other for engaging moving workpieces therebetween, including means for accommodating movement away from each other upon receiving workpieces therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wheels are disposed along only one side of said path, with workpiece support means being disposed along the other side of said path, for supporting the other side of the workpieces as they travel along the path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 4, including means for adjustably positioning the support means at different positions along the path from said wheels, to accommodate workpieces of various widths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said support means includes a slide member of channel configuration for receiving therein workpiece edges, in sliding relation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein combined means are provided in said bath zone for continuously both agitating and replenishing the electrolyte solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said combined means include electrolyte delivery tubes in said bath zone above and below said path, with openings along said tubes facing toward said path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said combined means comprise electrolyte delivery tubes in said bath zone, located along said flow path, with electrolyte discharge openings along said tubes, with electrolyte overflow means so located as to define an upper limit to said bath zone for discharge of excess electrolyte therefrom, and electrolyte collection sump means for receiving excess electrolyte discharged from said bath zone, including means for recirculating electrolyte from said sump means to said bath zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9, including heat exchanger means in said sump for cooling the electrolyte.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein electrolyte supply means is provided in said bath zone for supplying electrolyte thereto, wherein said contact wheels are disposed along a side of said flow path, with shroud means provided, substantially completely shrouding said wheels from the main part of said bath zone except for a slotted opening means for accommodating the passage of workpieces therethrough, and with wiper means provided along said slotted opening means and carried by said shroud means for slidingly engaging and wiping along workpieces being delivered along said path, for limiting contact of said wheels with electrolyte being supplied from said supply means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bath zone is provided with dam means at inlet and outlet ends of said flow path; said dam means at at least one end comprising a pair of rotatable rollers disposed transversely of said flow path for accommodating passage of workpieces therebetween; including means resiliently urging said pair of rollers together for sealing engagement of workpieces therebetween for limiting passage of electrolyte between said rollers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein drive means is provided for said rollers, and wherein the drive means for a roller in said pair also comprises the means for urging the rollers and the pair together.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said contact wheels are disposed along a side of said flow path, above and below said path; wheel drive members for said contact wheels; means for physically isolating said wheel drive members from electrolyte in said bath zone; common drive means mechanically connecting said drive members; wherein said generating means includes separate generating means for each said contact wheel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said anode means are located above and below said flow path, substantially completely along said path in said bath zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said anode means comprise copper bars disposed transversely of said flow path; including nonconductive anode support means in supporting relation to said bars.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
149 words
The method of electroplating discrete generally planar workpieces, one after the other, in a continuous manner, comprising the steps of: providing a bath of electrolyte solution; generating an electrical potential and delivering it to the solution through electrodes in the solution; conveying workpieces through the bath in a continuously generally horizontal motion, while the workpieces are held in generally horizontal disposition; while the workpieces are being continuously conveyed through the bath, bringing them into contact between opposed contact wheels along a side of the flow path; automatically and serially engaging the workpieces being delivered along the path with the wheels while automatically and serially clamping electrical connection of the wheels with the workpieces; and automatically and serially releasing the wheels from workpieces as they are delivered along the path, while automatically and serially releasing the workpieces from electrical connection with the wheels as they are delivered along the path.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
149 words
The method of electroplating discrete generally planar workpieces, one after the other, in a continuous manner, comprising the steps of: providing a bath of electrolyte solution; generating an electrical potential and delivering it to the solution through electrodes in the solution; conveying workpieces through the bath in a continuously generally horizontal motion, while the workpieces are held in generally horizontal disposition; while the workpieces are being continuously conveyed through the bath, bringing them into contact between opposed contact wheels along a side of the flow path; automatically and serially engaging the workpieces being delivered along the path with the wheels while automatically and serially clamping electrical connection of the wheels with the workpieces; and automatically and serially releasing the wheels from workpieces as they are delivered along the path, while automatically and serially releasing the workpieces from electrical connection with the wheels as they are delivered along the path.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the generating step includes creating an electrical potential whereby the contact wheels are cathodic, and providing copper anodes in the bath.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 17, including the steps of continuously agitating the electrolyte solution while replenishing the solution, by continuously delivering electrolyte solution to the bath, to the locations in the bath above and below the path of workpieces therethrough, while continuously overflowing electrolyte from the bath, followed by delivery of overflowed electrolyte for recirculation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the generation of electrical potential between the electrodes, includes separately applying a charge to each contact wheel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-30 | 1986-11-29 | 1987-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-30 | 1990-11-29 | 1991-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-30 | 1994-11-29 | 1995-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |